The USA Today reports on the current status of New Orleans, five years after the storm. Read more for a brief update.
This time of the year is still very difficult for New Orleans residents. Five years after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, metro New Orleans is still both physically and mentally recovering. The economy, weak and undiversified before the storm, has struggled to rebuild years later.
While the rebuilding efforts and reformation has progressed—residents are returning, schools are being rebuilt and the city has a new mayor and police chief—post-Katrina New Orleans has been met with several hurdles and new challenges. The city is struggling to battle crime, unemployment and a growing homeless community and displaced residents looking to return and rebuild are more often than not, met with red tape.
New Orleans has lost a great deal after the disaster and experts estimate that it will take up to 15 years to rebuild the Big Easy. Despite it’s setbacks, the rich culture and New Orleans fervor remains unmatched. From the return of Mardi Gras and front line bands to the Saints Super Bowl win, five years after the storm this much is clear—New Orleans is here to stay.
–India Banks
